Review Article J Forensic Sci & Criminal Inves Volume - 11 Issue 3 - March 2019 Copyright © All rights are reserved by Yuvenya Kaeswaren DOI: 10.19080/JFSCI.2019.11.555815 The Use of Mandibular and Maxillary Canine Teeth in Establishing Sexual Dimorphism in The Malaysian Population of Selangor Yuvenya Kaeswaren* and Anita Zara Weinheimer Department of Health and Life Sciences, Management & Science University, Malaysia Submission: January 18, 2019; Published: March 18, 2019 *Corresponding author: Yuvenya Kaeswaren, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management & Science University, Malaysia Abstract Sex determination is one of the major roles of forensics in establishing an individual’s identity. Teeth are excellent tools in living and non- greatest sexual dimorphism. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of using mandibular and maxillary canine width as well as intercanineliving victim distance identification in establishing in the field sexual of forensic dimorphism investigations. in Malaysian Amongst population all teeth, of the Selangor. mandibular The sample and maxillary comprised canine of 140 teeth Malaysian are found individuals to exhibit residing in Selangor, ages ranged between 18-30 years at a gender ratio of 1:1. The greatest mesiodistal width of the canine teeth and the intercanine distance were measured using digital vernier caliper with 0.01mm resolution. The values obtained were subjected to analysis and statistically significant sexual dimorphism was shown by the mandibular and maxillary canines. The mean values for left and right mandibular and maxillaryThe mean caninevalue for widths mandibular were less and for maxillary females intercanine than for males distances and the for differences females were were less statistically than for males significant and the (P<0.01). differences were statistically mandibularsignificant (P<0.01). and maxillary Gender canines predictability in sex determination using the standard was conclusively canine index established. (SCI) and mandibular canine index (MnCI) showed acceptable results whereas the maxillary canine index (MxCI) showed poor gender predictability. Thus, the use of statistically significant sexual dimorphism in Keywords: Sexual dimorphism, Canine width, Intercanine distance, Mandibular, Maxillary, Sex determination and Canine index Abbreviations: SCI: Standard Canine Index; MnCI: Mandibular Canine Index; MxCI: Maxillary Canine Index; mm: MilliMeter; CI: Canine Index; SD: Standard Deviation; ANOVA: Analysis Of Variance Introduction Odontometrics, the measurement and study of tooth size tooth morphology [6]. To this date, there has been no literature standards is most commonly used in age and sex determination environmental and racial factors are also known to influence documentation of canine width and intercanine distance for as human teeth exhibit sexual dimorphism [1]. Differences in structure, size and appearance of teeth between males and Malaysia. This study is therefore aimed at establishing a proof of Malaysian population, specifically the population of Peninsular sexual dimorphism using mandibular and maxillary canine width to as “sexual dimorphism” [2]. Sex determination is also possible females that can be applied to gender identification is referred and intercanine distance in the Malaysian population of Selangor only with the help of teeth in situations where only fragments of for forensic purposes. jaw bones with teeth or teeth alone are found [3]. The comparison of tooth dimensions in males and females is the basis of sex Materials and Methods determination using dental features. Canines, in particular, have Sample selection the greatest degree of sexual dimorphism and are also better likely to survive severe trauma compared to the rest of the teeth This study consisted of 140 volunteers comprising 70 males [4]. Hence, odontometric sex assessment using the canine width, and 70 females in the age group of 18–30 years from three large intercanine distance, and canine index has been proved highly ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese & Indian) and are Malaysian citizens residing in Selangor. valuableStandards in gender of morphological identification. and morphometric sex differences Exclusion criteria in the teeth, especially canine teeth, cannot be applied universally Subjects that fall under the following criteria were excluded as it may differ with the population sample involved [5]. Cultural, from the study: J Forensic Sci & Criminal Inves 11(3): JFSCI.MS.ID.555815 (2019) 001 Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation 1. Dental caries 2. Bleeding gums 3. Occlusal abnormalities 4. Orthodontic treatment abrasion, abfraction, erosion) 5. Physiologic or pathologic wear and tear (attrition, 6. Any trauma to canine teeth 7. Crowded or excessive spacing in the anterior teeth 8. Bad oral habits Figure 2: Measuring the mesiodistal canine width using a digital caliper. also excluded. Intercanine distance 9. Persons suffering from chronic systemic diseases were Inclusion Criteria The measurement of the width from the cusp tip of the canine on the right side to the cusp tip of the canine on the left side of the jaw is known as the intercanine distance (Figure 3). Two readings 1.2. GingivaCavity free and teeth. periodontium in a healthy state were taken from each subject; mandibular intercanine distance and maxillary intercanine distance. 3. Normal over jet and overbite 4. The absence of spacing in the anterior teeth. 5. Normal molar and canine relationship. Data collection Intraoral measurements The methodology was adapted from Kaushal and associates [1]. Study method is to measure the mandibular and maxillary canine widths and inter-canine distance of both jaws in all subjects. Measurements will be taken intraorally with the subjects in sitting position using a digital caliper with a resolution of 0.01 Figure 3: Placing the divider on the cusp tip of the right and mm. Each measurement was measured twice and the average left canine of the lower jaw to obtain mandibular intercanine distance. value was calculated. All values are in millimeter (mm) and will be rounded off to two decimal places. Canine Index Width of canines Canine index was calculated for all four canine tooth of each subject: right mandibular canine index, left mandibular canine Canine width was taken as the greatest mesiodistal width index, right maxillary canine index and left maxillary canine which is obtained by measuring the maximum distance between index. The formula for calculating the mandibular canine index the mesial and distal contact points of the canine [7] (Figures 1-2). (MnCI) and maxillary canine index (MxCI) was adapted from Rao Four readings were taken from each subject; right mandibular and colleagues [10] who derived it for establishing sex identity. canine width, left mandibular canine width, right maxillary canine width and left maxillary canine width. Mesiodistal crown width of canine Canine Index( CI)= Intercanine distance Standard Canine Index The standard canine index (SCI) value was used as a cut off point to differentiate males from females. Each canine tooth will therefore have its respective SCI. It is calculated using the following formula adapted from Rao and colleagues [10]: (mean male CI−+ SD)( mean female CI SD) Standard CI = 2 Figure 1: Divider placed at maximum distance between the mesial and distal contact points to obtain the canine width. Where, How to cite this article: Yuvenya Kaeswaren, Anita Zara Weinheimer. The Use of Mandibular and Maxillary Canine Teeth in Establishing Sexual Dimorphism 002 in The Malaysian Population of Selangor. J Forensic Sci & Criminal Inves. 2019; 11(3): 555815. DOI: 10.19080/JFSCI.2019.11.555815 Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation CI = Canine index (ANOVA) was done to compare the mean width of canines in males SD = Standard deviation (IBM SPSS Statistics version 22). T-test and Analysis of variance Sexual Dimorphism Resultsand females. Significance is set at 0.05 (P < 0.05) [Figures 1-3]. Males showed greater mean value for each canine in was used to calculate the sexual dimorphism of the right and left The following formula given by Garn and associates [11] comparison to females in both maxillary and mandibular jaw mandibular and maxillary canines: (Table 1). Mean values of canine widths in males and females (Xm Xf-1) Sexual Dimorphism = 100 were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.01). Findings were canine index in males ranged from 0.2176 to 0.2940 mm with a similar for intercanine distance (p <0.01). The right mandibular Where, mean of 0.2579 ± 0.0165 mm, whereas it ranged from 0.2167 to Xm = Mean value of male canine width 0.2832 mm with a mean of 0.2437 ± 0.0138 mm in females (Table Xf = Mean value of female canine width canine index value in males ranged from 0.2193 to 0.2923 mm 2). This was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The left mandibular Statistical Analysis with a mean of 0.2507 ± 0.0160 mm, and in females it was 0.1813 to 0.2688 mm with a mean of 0.2397 ± 0.0147 mm (Table 2). This The collected data was entered in a spreadsheet (Excel 2010, was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). TableMicrosoft 1: Sex office) Related and Statistical is analyzed Significance using statistical of Different analysis Parameters. software Parameters Sex Mean ± SD ‘p’ value Significance Male 7.4 0.41 Right 0 Mandibular Female 6.65 0.35 canine width Male 7.2 0.44 Significant Left 0 Female 6.54 0.38 Male 8.17 0.46 Significant Right 0 Maxillary canine Female